“The need for this change in the law comes from a case in Mt. Vernon where several families’ apartments were destroyed and much of what they owned was destroyed in a fire caused by a drunken driving accident,” Bryant said. “HB 2606 would allow prosecutors to charge offenders with aggravated DUI when catastrophic damage to property occurs as a result of a collision between a vehicle and a business or residential property.”

Bryant says the minimum threshold for damages under the bill would be $50,000. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.